The Athletic's flagship football podcast is with you six days a week, bringing unrivalled analysis from the biggest stories in world football. New host Emma Paton is joined by the likes of David Ornstein, Adam Crafton, Matt Slater and James Horncastle. The show takes you inside the biggest stories in football told by the best reporters in the business. We cut through the noise to tell you what’s really happening - and why it matters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes
Showing 20 · updated from the feed
Identifying one position to improve every Premier League team
The international break is upon and that means one thing: review time.
We’re doing things slightly differently this time. Host Kate Mason is joined by Rob Green and Liam
Nov 13 50 min
Pochettino and Man United: Dream or impossible job?
Mauricio Pochettino is the leading contender to be the latest Manchester United manager after Michael Carrick was officially sacked on Thursday.
So what does United’s tr
Nov 12 52 min
Ornstein latest: Man United finalising Pochettino deal
Manchester United are finalising a deal for Mauricio Pochettino if Michael Carrick is to be relieved of his duties.
Emma Paton is joined by The Athletic’s Manchester Uni
Nov 11 32 min
Carrick & Sage facing sack - but who replaces them?
Manchester United are expected to move on from Michael Carrick during the international break, while the same fate looks set to fall on Pierre Sage at Crystal Palace.
So
Nov 10 53 min
Will Man United's latest escape act save Carrick?
After just one win in their opening ten Premier League games, Manchester United will spend the November international break in the relegation zone.
Emma Paton is joined
Nov 9 43 min
Why did... Arsenal's move to the Emirates change everything?
Emma Paton is joined in the studio by The Athletic's deputy managing editor Dan Kilpatrick, football reporter Tim Spiers and former Arsenal winger Adrian Clarke to pontif
Nov 7 49 min
Who are the worst teams in the Premier League?
As we go into our final matchweek before the November international break, we take a look at which teams are floundering at the bottom of the table, and which, against al
Nov 6 37 min
Jason Wilcox and the surging scrutiny on sporting directors
Jason Wilcox has been in the eye of the storm at Manchester United ever since Lisandro Martinez publicly blamed the club’s Director of Football for the current balance of
Nov 5 40 min
Spanish managers are taking over the world. Why?
Four of the five managers nominated for the Men’s Coach of the Year at the Ballon d’Or ceremony last week hailed from Spain.
So what is it about Spanish managers, partic
Nov 4 46 min
Ornstein latest: Who will survive 'sacking season'?
The November international break is typically a moment in the Premier League season when clubs fire and hire managers. So, with pressure mounting on the likes of Michael
Nov 3 48 min
Are Arsenal embracing the 'boring' tag more than ever?
Arsenal made it 13 wins from their last 14 Premier League games, winning at Liverpool for the first time in 14 years in typically gritty style on Sunday.
So when neutral
Nov 2 40 min
What Is... Club DNA and does appointing legends work?
Yes you’ve read that correctly, today we’re forgoing What If, and asking What is…
On today’s episode Emma Paton is joined in the studio by The Athletic’s Tim Spiers and
Oct 31 47 min
Liverpool vs Arsenal + can you fix Manchester United?
It’s a big one this weekend as Arsenal travel to Merseyside to take on Liverpool. This comes following an all time classic upset after they were knocked out of the Caraba
Oct 30 43 min
Why are the Glazers nowhere to be seen?
Since taking full control of Manchester United in 2005, the Glazers have pocketed over 1.3 billion pounds, all while racking up over 700 million in debt at the club.
So
Oct 29 41 min
Who could handle the Man United job?
After Manchester United’s 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth it looked as though time was up for Michael Carrick.
But with news he’ll stay in charge for Saturday’s game against C
Oct 28 39 min
Did the Ballon d'Or expose the Premier League's superstar problem?
Harry Kane won the Ballon d'Or on Monday night, pipping Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal to the award.
But with just two players in the top 20 in the rankings, how can the
Oct 27 52 min
The day Man United turned mutinous
Michael Carrick's future is hanging by a thread at Man United after his side were embarrassed by Bournemouth at a mutinous Old Trafford on Sunday.
But with the club’s hi
Oct 26 44 min
What If... We erased the Messi-Ronaldo era?
With the Ballon d'Or fast approaching, this week’s episode of ‘What If’, Emma is joined in the studio by The Athletic’s Tim Spiers, Dan Kilpatrick and Jack Pitt-Brooke to
Oct 24 46 min
Chelsea vs Spurs + how are Brighton this good?
It’s a jam packed show this week as Kate Mason is joined in the studio by tacticos Liam Tharme and Rob Green to discuss all the weekend’s goings on, including a fierce Lo
Oct 23 42 min
Man United, INEOS and a failing sports empire
Manchester United’s ownership is in the firing line again, with players accusing leadership of negligence and just two wins so far all season.
So with United in their la
Oct 22 43 min
Chart trend
Position in the Sports chart (US), last 90 days.
#1#97#192AugSepOctNov
#3
all-time peak
1
day in the top 3 since Nov 2024
Chart positions
Where The Athletic FC Podcast ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Nov 14, 2026).
A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.
Ayo is hands down the best facilitator on any soccer pod I’ve listened to. The guests are thoughtful and interesting, and I’m always learning more about the wide world of football through this show. Cheers!
Stslat · Oct 2024
I refrain from giving this show a five-star rating only because of the weekend preview which is unlistenable. Awful. I haven’t finished a single episode. I loved the odds on last season show (even though I’m not a betting man) and especially the weekend quizzes which I always paused the pod to try and answer. I literally looked forward to Fridays. Bring Dan Bardell and the crew back, please.
Ayo’s hosting has been consistently excellent. He brings in the right guests and maintains a positive atmosphere, although at times he could delve deeper into challenging questions.
While most journalists associated with the show are impartial, there are a couple of exceptions. George Caulkin’s comparison of Newcastle’s history to Manchester United’s and Simon Hughes’ assertion that Liverpool winning the Premier League would rank among the greatest achievements ever has to be one of the worst takes for me. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions though.
Obedfan · Feb 2024
Way better than the garbage you get on TV. It is full of informed and unbiased information and it is my go to football podcast that isn’t specific to my team.
@dannnicus · Jan 2024
I listen to this podcast each episode, but without Mark Chapman as host I’ve noticed the conversation becomes more “banter” and less journalistic and insightful. I can understand if I’m in the minority - my favorite era of this podcast was when Mark and Matt Slater hosted the business of sport every Thursday on this channel (intro music included) - but think the feed could use some more long form or in depth coverage in that vein (which may just mean we need more Adam Crafton)
week 1 stunts · Aug 2023
This Athletic show underperforms compared to its other club specific offerings. Ayo is a solid host but they have too many guest hosts that are a big drop off. Dan in particular is just unpleasant. Constant snide remarks and has nothing nice to say about any club. He strikes me as the kind of English fan that actually takes more joy in other clubs losing than his club winning. If that’s your thing ok but it’s not for me. The show is obsessed with City acting like they are entitled to win the league and constantly run down other clubs like their wins are lucky. Honestly the show is just boring unless you’re a casual bandwagon fan who cheers for whomever is winning the league. There is very little insight or counter narrative provided in this show. Better options out there that are balanced and more interesting.
DomiciledinChicago · Dec 2024
We strive to present a balanced view by showing a diverse range of reviews from Apple Podcasts.
Here you find the Apple Podcasts chart positions of The Athletic FC Podcast, its latest episodes to listen to directly, and reviews from listeners. Rankings are updated daily for the United States.
